Writing’s on the wall for Scugog’s history

Heritage plaque program details Port Perry’s past

Scugog heritage plaques

Celia Klemenz / Metroland

PORT PERRY -- Guy Latrielle, owner of the Re/Max building, formerly the St. Charles Hotel, was joined by Marina Brock, of Scugog's heritage committee, as they showed off the last two plaques to be attached this year to buildings to illustrate the history of the buildings in the downtown core. June 3, 2014

SCUGOG -- The writing is now on the wall when it comes to the heritage of some of the most notable buildings in Port Perry’s downtown core.

Scugog’s heritage committee has resurrected its plaque program, shifting its focus from highlighting the history of homes to outlining the humble beginnings of buildings in Port Perry’s commercial core.

At the start of June, the committee had made arrangements to have eight plaques mounted on the exterior of businesses such as Brock’s Department Store, Dana’s Goldsmithing and the Remax building, and they hope to finalize the first 10 by the end of the month.

“For visitors and local people who have no idea what the history of the town is, this is a stopping point. A good opportunity to learn a little more about Port Perry,” explained Scugog historian Peter Hvidsten, who is a member of the heritage committee.

For visitors and local people who have no idea what the history of the town is, this is a stopping point. A good opportunity to learn a little more about Port Perry. Peter Hvidsten

A year ago, Mr. Hvidsten advised the committee of a plan he had to place a plaque on the outside of one of his own buildings, at 235 Queen St., and the idea snowballed from there.

“The committee wanted to do something different, so we went with that,” he said.

The heritage group randomly chose 10 buildings in the downtown core and then had Paul Arculus, another Scugog historian and author, condense the historical background of the buildings enough so that the information would fit on a plaque with a picture.

The plaques are similar in style to the information plaques that have been placed in Palmer Park, which detail the history of Port Perry.

The cost of the plaques are covered completely by the heritage committee.

Other buildings included in the first phase of the program are Luke’s Country Store, Port Perry Pharmacy and the Scugog Chamber of Commerce office.

“The owners have been fairly pleased. They’ve been very supportive of the program,” said Mr. Hvidsten. “Most people who own buildings are very proud of their buildings and that’s pretty evident in what they do to keep them up.

“This is just another way for them to highlight the heritage of the town and provide more information to people who shop here.”

Another 10 plaques will be added in 2015.

“We wanted to try and hit the high traffic areas to start with,” said Mr. Hvidsten. “We will extend it to other communities, too, but we wanted to get a good start on it.”

Guy Latreille, who owns the Remax building at the corner of Queen and Water streets, was quick to support the program.

“It’s wonderful. Port Perry is so unique with the architecture being all the same after the (1884) fire,” he said. “The plaques portray what life was like then and what it is now.

“I’m surprised at the number of people who stop and read them.”

Chris Hall is a reporter covering Scugog Township for Metroland Media Group’s Durham Region Division. He can be reached at
CHall@durhamregion.com
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